Essien doubtful for Ghana opener

Michael Essien is doubtful for Ghana's opening match at the African Nations Cup finals in Angola on Monday despite making a return to training this week, the Ghana Football Association said.

Published

7 January 2010

Essien had been allowed to remain in London and trained with his club Chelsea on Wednesday before preparing to depart for Angola, where Ghana play their opening Group B match against Togo in Cabinda.

The midfielder has been recuperating after suffering a hamstring injury in the European Champions League last month.

"Coach Milovan Rajevac will be assessing the midfielder because he has yet to regain full match fitness before taking a decision on when to start his captain for the competition," the association said on its website (www.ghanafa.org).